FAVORITE TEAMS

Just a quick note, games continue to postpone due to COVID. I apologize if I’m late on my posts. I keep up with COVID updates for programs and states daily. When a game’s cancelled, I switch out matchups on the fly sometimes, while others take a bit to update, sometimes two or three games. I appreciate anybody that read my weekly games to watch posts. I learn a bit more everyday and find the best information to my ability to make these posts.

5. KENTUCKY (1-2 SEC) AT #18 TENNESSEE (2-1 SEC) -9AM PT / 12PM ET [SEC NETWORK]

An unusual game chosen for a game to watch, but it was a technicality due to Oklahoma State/Baylor and Cincinnati/Tulsa postponing their game due to COVID. Here’s the unusual for Kentucky and Tennessee.

Kentucky could’ve easily been 3-0, but they shot themselves in the foot on turnovers and a missed extra point. The final score against Auburn 29-13 is misleading. Kentucky dominated on 3rd downs and had the most yards and less penalties than Auburn. Unfortunately, they had three turnovers (1 interception, 2 fumbles) and failed twice on fourth down. They nearly forced another overtime with Ole Miss, but Luke Logan missed the extra point that ended the game.

Tennessee is a good team this season but they’re still progressing. The win over Missouri was a legit win, but they could’ve lost to South Carolina if it weren’t for the special teams mishap by the Gamecocks late in the 4th quarter. Tennessee was awful on third down (1-11), and South Carolina could’ve capitalized on it. Tennessee went toe-to-toe with Georgia for the first half, but Georgia stifled them with three turnovers while allowing no points in the second half.

Kentucky vs. Tennessee could be the ugliest game to watch this weekend. Three factors playing into a team’s advantage are third down efficiencies, turnovers, and time of possessions. Tennessee struggled on third downs and time of possessions while Kentucky had issues with ball control. Kentucky could potentially upset Tennessee if they can take care of the ball. Quarterback Terry Wilson is the key to Kentucky’s offensive success and the run game overall could be what wears out Tennessee.

4. PITT (3-2 OVERALL; 2-2 ACC) AT #13 MIAMI (3-1 OVERALL; 2-1 ACC) 9AM PT / 12PM ET [ACC NETWORK]

Miami’s coming off their worst loss against Clemson all season. They’re heading in the right direction, but they’re still a bit off from competing with the five-time conference champs. Now they host Pitt, that’s also coming off a close loss to Boston College after a missed extra point.

Ever since Pitt ruined Miami’s playoff hopes in 2017, the competition turned up and points became a premium. 24 points was the most that one team can score since then. Pitt may have lost the last two, but their defense is built to compete against the likes of the Hurricanes. Miami on the other hand relied on defense and the run game to survive against the Panthers the past two seasons. While Miami’s defense can force turnovers, they haven’t been that great unlike the past four seasons in Manny Diaz’s presence. They allowed 34 plus points twice in the first four games, which is not a great start. What’s worse is that they’re facing Pitt’s defense, which is the second best in the ACC. They’re dangerous pass rushers and leads the nation in sacks and tackles for loss led by Patrick Jones II (7 sacks and 7 TFLs).

Miami must bounce back and battle for the number two spot in the ACC. Quarterback D’Eriq King and his team must find their way past the best rushing and pass rushing defense in the ACC. Pitt also must bounce back, and the focus will be on quarterback Kenny Pickett. The team struggles in ball handling so he must play careful, manageable football as Miami’s defense can pass rush and force takeaways on a whim. Pitt’s last three games were decided by a field goal or less (last two losses by a combined two points) and this could be another one score game situation. Miami has leverage in the turnover department, but if they fail to run the ball, Pitt could steal this win.

3. BOSTON COLLEGE (3-1 OVERALL; 2-1 ACC) AT #23 VIRGINIA TECH (2-1 ACC) – 5PM PT / 8PM ET [ESPN]

Boston College survived after Pitt’s missed extra point in overtime. So far, BC’s playing competitively and nearly upset North Carolina too. But how good is Jeff Hafley’s team when they step into Blacksburg this weekend? Quarterback Phil Jurkovec is the guy Boston College needed. He has completed 65.1 percent for 1181 and eight touchdowns. Receiver Zay Flowers and tight end Hunter Long are his go-to guys. That all sounds unusually good after Steve Addazio was let go, but the concern should come from their lack of running and a questionable offensive line. David Bailey’s a capable running back who needs more touches. He’s been underutilized after running for 844 and seven touchdowns last season. The offensive line’s susceptible to pressure and could put the quarterback in a vulnerable situation.

Virginia Tech’s recovering after their loss to North Carolina. While their defense is all about pressuring the backfield, they struggled against big plays and gave up a lot of points last week. COVID and postponed games hurt their consistency and it’ll probably happen again against Boston College if they don’t solve this problem. Their offense is good and running back Khalil Herbert’s responsible for their success. He ran for 449 and five touchdowns while averaging 10.4 yards per carry. However, when Virginia Tech must see how quarterback Hendon Hooker does in his start back from illness. He came in the second half last week and the team scored 28 points after Braxton Burmeister couldn’t get them rolling in the first half.

Boston College won the last two meetings and if they can compete the whole game against UNC, they can do the same against Virginia Tech. BC must give Bailey more touches so that takes some pressure off Jurkovec knowing what he’s dealing with against VA Tech’s pass rush. Otherwise, Virginia Tech has Hendon starting this weekend and that’s enough to help the Hokies win at home.

2. #14 AUBURN (2-1 SEC) AT SOUTH CAROLINA (1-2 SEC) – 9AM PT / 12PM ET [ESPN]

Auburn has been off this season and their offense is responsible for their questionable beginning. They won an ugly game against Kentucky, struggled offensively against Georgia, and won a game that they should’ve lost due to Bo Nix’s controversial ball spike after mishandling it. And you can see it right here:

Anyway, Auburn’s playing their second road game and hope their offense got themselves together. Running back Tank Bigsby made an impact last week with 146 yards and will be critical this weekend. The offensive line is inconsistent and allowed over 32 quarterback hurries in three games. If you add Bo Nix’s passing efficiency, this isn’t a good sign. But if he can throw in time, receivers Seth Williams, Anthony Schwartz, and company can take care of the rest. Auburn’s defense is ok up front, but their coverage isn’t great this season and South Carolina has a quarterback capable of exposing them uphill.

South Carolina’s playing good football this season and the addition of quarterback Collin Hill from Colorado State made a big difference. Before his transfer, he completed 67 percent in his three games. He’s currently completing 63 percent for 698 yards. If you add running back Kevin Harris into the mix with 326 yards and averaging about 6 yards per carry, they have a decent backfield. But can their offensive line give their backfield those opportunities? If anyone believes that South Carolina averages as the third best defense in the SEC, you would think that’s crazy. Make no mistake they’re fourth in points allowed and rushes allowed, and third in passes allowed and total defense. They’re successful against opponents on third down. Their two opponents completed one third down in 11 attempts all game (Vanderbilt and Tennessee).

South Carolina last win against Auburn goes all the way back to 1933, but Auburn’s on upset alert for the third time in four games and should be. The offense is a mystery and the offensive line is responsible for their inconsistencies. South Carolina’s bugaboo are their miscues and it showed against Tennessee and Florida. South Carolina’s below average on third downs, but Auburn’s third to last in the SEC against opponent’s third down conversions. If the Gamecocks can succeed with that and time of possession, they should win their home game.

1. #3 GEORGIA (3-0 SEC) AT #2 ALABAMA (3-0 SEC) 5PM PT / 8PM ET [CBS]

Speculation is the word for this matchup and there’s plenty of it prior to Saturday night. The first three games for Georgia and Alabama gave us an idea, but not enough to claim it’ll happen.

Georgia’s one of the best defenses in the SEC right now and possibly the nation. The front seven is dangerous and whether they can get to the quarterback or not, it’s enough to cause three-and-outs (2nd in the SEC) or force turnovers. The offense is good to an extent. Whether quarterback Stetson Bennett solved Georgia’s QB puzzle, it remains to be seen if they can play a full game. Watching three games show there’s some inconsistency behind it. They do well in one half but slow down in the other and vice versa. It’s not something to be proud of when they’re facing Alabama’s number one scoring offense in the country.

Alabama’s offense is more dangerous than last season and the offensive line are responsible for it. They also give quarterback Mac Jones time in the pocket to target his best trio receivers in the country. Running back Najee Harris has accounted 10 of 12 rushing touchdowns while gaining nearly 7 yards per carry. They can score at will when they have possession (69% chance each possession through 3 games). It’s impossible to say that any defense in college football can stop this defense…unless it’s Clemson maybe. But Georgia could be the other too. Sadly, there’s a lot of skepticism on Bama’s defense. It’s unsure if they only struggled against Lane Kiffin’s offense or it could be a seasonal problem. Since the Tua Tagovailoa era in 2018, their defensive stats have dropped off. Allowing 30.3 ppg is the worst in their first three SEC games since 2003 when they allowed 29.3 ppg. They also struggled on third down 54 percent of the time against all three teams.

Going back to the word speculation, the majority were wondering how the game will play out without an idea of the result in this gauntlet matchup. Alabama will score without hesitation at anytime, and they can trail by three scores for three quarters and still respond eventually with three plus scores in the fourth. Georgia’s defense won one of three games when allowing 20 plus points in two seasons (won first game allowing it last week). They can pressure the quarterback, they haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown this season, and they have intercepted opponents five times to just three passing touchdowns. While Alabama hasn’t faced a defense like Georgia, the same can be said about Georgia not facing an offense like Bama’s. Everyone has a speculation about this teams’ performance after three games, but here’s two things that must be considered, Georgia running successfully on Bama’s defense and FINISHING THE GAME!!! Two times that Kirby Smart’s Georgia had Alabama backed against the wall, Alabama fought back late in the third quarter twice with backup quarterbacks and won (Tua in championship and Jalen in SEC championship in 2018). Georgia’s offense failed to score a touchdown in the 4th quarter/overtime twice. We all know how good Georgia’s defense is but their offense must come through too. If Georgia doesn’t beat a Tua-less, Jalen-less, and potentially Nick Saban-less Alabama on Saturday, a new “speculation” must be considered on whether Georgia can compete with Alabama again when the four teams are announced in December.

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK’S TOP 5 GAMES